chichigirl

Chichigirl for week two of challenge: Weight - 310 Under Bra - 43 Waist - 45 Hip - 58 So far so good, lost 1.5 lbs. and 5" lost!!!! Whooo Hooo:D

Chichigirl for week two of challenge: Weight - 310 Under Bra - 43 Waist - 45 Hip - 58 So far so good, lost 1.5 lbs. and 5" lost!!!! Whooo Hooo:D

I wouldn't fret too much, there was someone a few weeks ago who did the same exact thing and she had no problems. Just make sure you drink a bit of Water before trying to eat, just in case it's still hanging there. Good Luck Cindy

You know what? This sounds awfully familiar to me. Back in 2001/2002 when I was working towards getting my band and the approvals and all the other hoops we have jump through, I recall there was big scandel on TV about Docs who were requiring their WLS patients to sign up at this particular gym. It was a very expensive over the top gym and come to find out, the doc had a motive, he had a personal vested interest in the gym. When word got out his excuse was he was doing nothing wrong, but rather helping his patients learn their new lifestyle and exercise was a part of it. I don't recall what the final outcome was, but I bet he lost alot of patients. I don't believe it was a local story, I live in Miami, FL, but it might have been. But for $400.00 you can get more than a years membership at a commercial gym!! I don't blame you for screaming, I absolutely hate when you think you finally have everything done, bam, the pop up with some other stupid 'requirement'. I wish you luck, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this along with everything else. Cindy

I wouldn't think the Gas-X would be a problem, but if you're on any other medications you may want to check with your doctor first. It might be a good idea all the way around to check with the doctors office, a nurse should be able to answer your question. I don't recall having any kind of discomfort other than where the port was put in, but it has been a few years since mine was done so you can't go by me. Hope this helps, keep us posted as to how things go. Cindy

Hi Liz and Joelle, glad to have two new bandsters to join an already fabulous group! Lots of great advice and support here, hope you stick around. Congrats on your surgery date, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well. Cindy

Oh yeah! I have seen alot of posts about this very issue. I too have gone through it and even though it's dissappointing, I realized that it was a good thing. I mean think about it, eventually we will reach a point where we will just want to maintain. We see what many others eat without gaining, compare what you're doing to diet to that, isn't it a huge difference. It really shouldn't be that way. We are suppose to be changing out lifestyles and by not eating enough it looks like we would be living the anorexia lifestyle, not a normal one. You should have between 1200 to 1500 kcals per day if you are moderately active, if you working out alot, then you need to up the kcals to put nutrients back in that you have worked off. Not fat, nutrients, there's a difference. Also are following a high Protein diet? If not you may want to think about it, it really does help. I personally enjoy protein and veggies daily and occasionally some whole grain products, but not very often. There are alot of things on the market right now that make it easier to eat a high protein diet. Just my opinion. But whatever you do, do not give up. You will be rewarded and it will all be worth it. Cindy

Hi, Sally, I live in Miami and had my surgery done here, as well as all of my follow ups for fills. I know another girl on this site who was also banded in Mexico and she comes here from La Belle to have her fills with my doctor. He is really good, and he only charges $300.00 per fill, that's considered cheap in this area as I understand other doctors can charge upwards of $1,000.00. Here's the information: Dr. Eddie Gomez 305-285-5090 3661 South Miami Avenue Suite 301 Miami, FL 33133 He is located in the professional building next to Mercy Hospital in Coconut Grove. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions and I'll try to help. Cindy

It's perfectly normal to have doubts about whether or not we will be able to do something when in the past we have not been able to. But, you have already started to break the cycle by looking into and deciding to get banded. Believe me you are much stronger than you realize, don't let the demons of the past tell you otherwise. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!!!!!! I also quit smoking about two or three months ago, I didn't keep track of exactly when I stopped, I just finished smoking the last ciggaretes I had and quit. I am taking Wellbutrin for depression, but this medication is also known as Zyban, and it is used to help reduce the withdrawal symptoms and for me it really helped. It wasn't easy, but each day got better and better until after about two to three weeks, I wasn't really even thinking about it anymore. All this while getting a new fill put in and working on my nutrional lifestyle goals. As for the liquid diet, it's not easy but very doable and the rewards are very helpful in keeping you on tract. During this time you will probably drop a great deal of weight and that can keep you going. And remember, the idea behind the liquids after is to give the band and port time to heal as they are sutured in and you want that to be throughly healed before attempting anything more than liquids. I wish you the best of luck in both your endeavors. I'll also keep you in my prayers as well. Cindy

WHAT A SUPER JOB!!!!! Rember, it's not where you're going and it's not where you've been, but where you are right now that matters. And girl, you are in a fabulous place. Do you have any idea the number of people who weighed what you use to weigh would have just given up and never even tried? The numbers are staggering I'm sure. But not you, you are a strong, couragous and inspirational woman and we are all proud of you and glad you shared your wonderful news with us. I hope you know how much you are helping others who might be feeling like, it's just too hard, I have too much to lose, why bother, yadayadayada. You are a shining example of strong and powerful woman. Good luck on your continued success in this battle we all here are fighting. Cindy

Terrilyn, you did not commit a crime, you did not go on an all out binge, and you need to realize that you did nothing that needs confessing. I understand about admitting it to all of us on the boards, 'cause I think what you are also 'hungry' for are some hugs, so here they come: ((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))) Now I hope you feel better, you're doing a great job being on the Opti-Fast to begin with and making the choice to be banded is huge. You are really a worthy person and deserve to have your dreams filled. You can pm me anytime and if you want I will send you my number and we can talk. This is probably the most difficult time preparing for the surgery, so you may need to talk to someone who has already been through it. I would be honored to help if you need me. Take care, Cindy

Super job!!! What a great inspiration for all of us 'cause we all hit those stalls now and again with the #$^& scale. I am thrilled for you, keep up the great work!!!!! Cindy

Welcome, glad to have another person to give her perspectives and support. The more the merrier around here. Tons of very friendly and supportive people who really care. Sorry to here about all your problems, I will keep you in my prayers and remember it's always darkest before the dawn. The only good thing about being all the way down is, there's no where to go but up. And we here to help lift you. Cindy

Welcome, hope you find it helpful and supportive here. As for being concerned about your first fill, the procedure itself is no big deal. If you're having it done in the docs office without fluro then he will find your port, insert a serious needle and put in a certain amount of saline. Then he will have you swallow some Water to see how it goes down. If you are uncomfortable, let him know, he'll remove a little more and on and on until you feel that you are comfortable. By the way, he doesn't remove the needle until he is satisfied with the fill, it's not like you're getting stuck over and over. If you're having it done with fluro, then the doctor will find the port, insert saline and then give you barium to swallow, which they will watch on a special screen to make sure that the Fluid is getting through sufficiently. Well, that's about it for fills. Just don't become overly anxious about wanting to lose the weight and think, the tighter the restriction the better it will be. Wrong!!!!! That's not the way it works and believe me you'll end up in serious pain if the fill is too tight. Another thing, aren't you glad you asked this question, when you get a fill, the first time you try to eat something, take it slow and easy until you judge how you will handle the restriction. Even drinking water to quickly can cause a problem if you are gulping it without giving it time to pass through completely. Remember, the pouch is small. Hope that answers your question. Again welcome to the boards and feel free to pm me if you have any other questions, otherwise, I'll just see you on the boards. Cindy

I also found a really good recipe for black bean soup on www.bettycroker.com. I use to love the Progresso Black Bean Soup, but they have stopped making it. This is the closest version to it I have found. By the way Progresso Soup and Betty Crocker are affliated. Enjoy. Cindy

I am truly sorry for you loss. I know it's not easy to loose someone so close and to have to witness the heartache of your other loved ones. I pray for peace and consolation for you and all that love him. With Deepest Sympathies, Cindy

Ouch, looks like you had to find out the hard way, bread is pretty rough going down with most banded people, myself included. Alot depends on how much fill you have, but the only time I can handle bread is when I have no fill at all and even then, I have to be very careful. You're doing really great so far, congradulations. Just remember, whenever you try a new food, teeny, teeny bite and chew, chew, chew swallow and wait for how you will handle it. Good Luck and keep up the really good work! Cindy

I'll add my two cents worth and agree with the opinion that you should have the gallbladder removed first. Fully recuperate from that with no fill in the band and see how things go. Who would pay for another band if he takes this one out, only to discover that there was nothing wrong with it to begin with? Also, I really don't understand why he is assuming that there is something wrong with the band when the symptoms are exactly the same as gall stones. I would certainly clarify that part with him, because if he takes out your gall bladder and your band at the same time, you will never know if there really was something wrong with the band. You are obviously an intelligent and educated woman. Don't quit asking the questions you need answers to for fear of offending your surgeon. If he's as good as you say he is and I'm sure he is, he will not be offended and will be willing to explain things so that you are satisfied with the decision you need to make. Good Luck, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Cindy

Well, I am ready, got my weight, got my measurements and got my before picture(ugh) so here goes, day 1 of the holiday challange, what a great new tradition to add to my holidays!!!!! Measurements: Under Bra - 45.5" Waist - 47" Hip - 59.5" Weight - 311.5 goal for challenge 299 - YEAH!!!!! Here's the picture, sorry it's pretty awful, next one will be much better! DSC00661 (2).JPG (141.7 KB) Thanks again Nana for doing this it's a wonderful way to go through the holidays. Good luck everyone!!!!!! Hope it's a tie!!!!!!!

Corrine, Great going!!!!! There's not a worse feeling in the world to try on a new outfit and it doesn't fit, but then there's no better feeling than trying on something that didn't fit and have it be too big or fit juuuusst riiiight!!! I am so very happy for you and thank you for sharing your inspiring NSV. It has made my day and I will think of you whenever I choose anything to eat in the future. Way to go!!!!! The band works!!!!!!! Cindy

Welcome and what a great idea!!!! I love your new friend, has he got any older brothers? Thanks for reminding us all that food is for fueling the body, not the soul, and that we can find someone or something to handle that part!!! Great going, hope to see you on the boards often. Cindy

Hi ebony - Good luck tomorrow, it will be over and you'll be up and walking around by this time tomorrow night. How exciting to be just starting on your adventure. Get ready it can be a real roller coaster ride, as most things in life are, but I think you will be satisfied with the help the band will give you and increase your level of motivation and confidence. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, please let us know when you can, how you made out. Cindy

I think I've got it, now I just have to figure out how to reduce it, not just me, the picture too!!!LOL Okay, that was bad but I couldn't help myself. Anyway, thanks for the help. Cindy

Nana, I'm sorry to bother you with this but I am attempting to post my picture for the begining of tomorrows contest but I don't know how to do it. Can you help me? Thanks, Cindy

I am having problems this week. To start off with I think my fill was really too tight. I had a miserable time of it until I got back to the docs the following day and had .5cc's removed. I felt like it was okay, but I'm still having problems, not as bad before the fill was emptied a bit but still not right. I can only get room temperature tea or Water down, anything I try to eat or drink otherwise comes right back up. Does anyone out there know about a slipped band and how to tell if you have one or not? Thank you Cindy